The emergency department's grand opening is interrupted by an onslaught of crash victims, pushing hospital administrator Sharon Goodwin and her staff to their limits as they frantically work to triage and treat patients. It's all hands on deck as newly hired trauma surgeon Dr. Connor Rhodes, pregnant pediatrics specialist Dr. Natalie Manning, third-year resident Dr. Will Halstead, military-trained Dr. Ethan Choi, nurse April Sexton and head of psychiatry Dr. Daniel Charles must pull together to save lives. Rounding out the team is medical student Sarah Reese, who quickly learns some of the hard lessons that come with life in the Emergency Department.